Blockbuster expands Blu-ray DVDs to 1,700 stores

NEW YORK, June 18 (Reuters) - Blockbuster Inc. (BBI.N) said it will expand its inventory of Blu-ray high-definition DVDs to 1,700 stores by mid-July, saying Blu-ray has proven more popular with its customers than a competing high-definition format.

The company will continue to rent out both Blu-ray and rival HD-DVD titles through its online rental service.

Blockbuster, with about 8,000 stores worldwide, said about 250 of its stores carry both formats, and Blu-ray rentals are "significantly outpacing HD DVD rentals," the company said in a statement.

((Reporting by Nick Zieminski; editing by Greg Mahlich; nick.zieminski@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: nick.zieminski.reuters.com@reuters.net; +1 646 223 6000)) Keywords: BLOCKBUSTER BLURAY

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